Collar Protector

ABSTRACT

A collar protector comprises a patch mount that is attached to the back portion of a shirt collar. A collar shield removeably attaches to the patch mount and covers a back portion of a wearer&#39;s neck preventing staining and discoloration of the shirt&#39;s collar. In one embodiment, the user applies a scent to the collar shield to release a pleasing odor while wearing the shirt. As the collar shield becomes stained, it is replaced with a new one keeping the shirt from being soiled. In one embodiment, a hook and loop attachment system is used to removeably attach the collar shield to the patch mount. In one embodiment, the collar shield is made of a fabric that matches the shirt.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and herein incorporates by referenceU.S. provisional patent application 60/895,828, filed Mar. 15, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As soon as humans began dressing, the problem of keeping the clothesclean became apparent. Of course, the issue of “ring around the collar”was not a major issue until modern times with the advent of the buttonup shirt and a heightened expectation of personal hygiene. Thepropensity of shirts to discolor around the neck is especiallynoticeable on white and other light colored shirts. The custom ofwearing a necktie only exacerbates the problem by causing some wearersto sweat and the sweat concentrates around the neckline causing thediscoloration which is generally permanent despite washing.

There is a need for an inexpensive, comfortable and easy to use deviceto eliminate the problem of collar discoloration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collar protector comprises a patch mount that is attached to the backportion of a shirt collar. A collar shield removeably attaches to thepatch mount and covers a back portion of a wearer's neck preventingstaining and discoloration of the shirt's collar. In one embodiment, theuser applies a scent to the collar shield to release a pleasing odorwhile wearing the shirt. As the collar shield becomes stained, it isreplaced with a new one keeping the shirt from being soiled. In oneembodiment, a hook and loop attachment system is used to removeablyattach the collar shield to the patch mount. In one embodiment, thecollar shield is made of a fabric that matches the shirt.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collar protector attached to a shirtaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a patch mount secured to a shirtaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a collar protector according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference ismade to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements,and which are intended to show by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes maybe made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a patch mount 130 is secured to a shirt collar110 located on a shirt 120. Patch mount 130 is sewed on collar 110.Other attachment means may be used to secure patch mount 130 to shirtcollar 110 such as glue, temperature activated adhesives or acombination therein. A collar shield 100 removeably attaches to patchmount 130 to protect collar 110 from stains or discoloration.Additionally, collar shield 100 absorbs sweat that tends to accumulatearound the neck of a user. In one embodiment, a hook 140 and loop 150system is used to removeably attach collar shield 100 to patch mount130.

The “loop” or “pile” 150 side of the hook 140 and loop 150 system may beused on collar 110 side so that the softer loop 150 portion is towardsthe neck of the user (not shown). This allows shirt 120 to be worncomfortably even without using collar shield 100. Other removablefastening means including snaps, zippers or other means suitable forallowing a user to replace collar shield 100 may be used as is known inthe art.

In one embodiment, the user applies cologne, perfume, body oil or otherscent to collar shield 100. As the user wears shirt 120, the scent isreleased especially if the user tends to perspire such as in a stressfulor physically demanding situation. Collar shield 100 is made from clothand may be manufactured to match the pattern and texture of shirt 120.This is most easily accomplished if produced by the manufacturer ofshirt 120 using the same material, but the match does not have to beperfect allowing an aftermarket producer to coordinate a complementarymaterial that is attractive but not necessarily a perfect match. In oneembodiment, collar shield 100 is made of a transparent material such asplastic so that collar shield 100 is not noticeable.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A collar protector comprising: a patch mount fixedly attached to ashirt collar; a collar shield removeably disposed on said patch mountwherein said collar shield may be removed and replaced as desired.
 2. Acollar protector according to claim 1 wherein said patch mount has aloop strip attached to an interior facing side therein and said collarshield has a complementary hook strip facing said loop strip.
 3. Acollar protector according to claim 1 wherein said collar shield is madeof the same material as said shirt collar.
 4. A collar protectoraccording to claim 1 wherein said collar shield is made of a materialselected to coordinate with said shirt collar.
 5. A collar protectoraccording to claim 1 wherein said collar shield has a scent appliedtherein before attachment to said patch mount.
 6. A collar protectoraccording to claim 1 wherein said patch mount is fixedly attached tosaid shirt collar with thread.
 7. A collar protector according to claim1 wherein said collar shield is transparent.
 8. A collar protectoraccording to claim 1 wherein said collar shield is made of an absorbentmaterial.
 9. A collar protector comprising: a patch mount fixedlyattached to a shirt collar; a collar shield; an attachment means forremoveably attaching said collar shield to an inner exposed surface ofsaid patch mount wherein said collar shield may be removed and replacedas desired.
 10. A collar protector according to claim 9 wherein saidattachment means is a hook and loop fastener.
 11. A collar protectoraccording to claim 10 wherein said collar shield has a plurality ofhooks attached whereby said plurality of hooks removeably interact witha plurality of hoops disposed on said inner exposed surface.
 12. Acollar protector according to claim 9 wherein said attachment means is aremovable adhesive.